Clutch.



A. BATES. CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUL'Y 1l, 190B.

Patented Dec. 19,'1911.

WWA/5555.

MVM/70H. @ML

UNITED sTA-TEs .1warnNT:OEE-rony aaTnuE BATES, or LEIcEsTEa, ENGLAND, AssIGNoE. To. 'UNITED sHoEJMAcHINERY COMPANY. or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.'

CLUTCH.

A* i Specification of Letters Patent.7 l Patented Dec. 19, 1911.'

Applicationled J' uly 11, 1908'.v Serial No, 443,060. 1

To all whom it may concern; l

Be it known that I, ARTHUR BATES, a subject ofthe King of England, residing at Leicester, in the county of' Leicester,l England, have invented certain Improvements in Clutches, of which the following descrip'- tion, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specication, like reference characters on thel drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to clutches and especially to clutches of thatV type byl which a moving part may be frictionally connected.v

with al stationary part in order to-impart movement to the latter.

lnA particular the invention relates to a,

' clutch in which the friction by which-the A parts, one of which surrounds'the circumfermovement of the movable part is transmitted.

to the stationary part is produced by the engagement of two substantially circular ence of the other, and in which the diameter of, one of the circularparts may be varied lin'such manner that the two parts may be brought into and out of engagement throughclutch the clutch member, of which the diameter may be varied, comprises usually and preferably a splitring carried by the stationary part. to be clutched, a circular flange upon the movable part to be clutched preferably surrounding the said split ring. Spreading of the parts of the split ring away from each other serves to increase its diameter and thereby to bring it into circumferential en gagement with the flange upon the movable part to be clutched.

. A further object of the invention 1s to provide improved means for eilectin relative movement of the parts of the split ring of the aforementioned clutch, said means being preferably constructed to .effect simultaneous and equal movements of the parts of the ring away frinfjjeach other and to movements of the tion. As herein `illustratedfthe means permit simultaneous and equal movements of the partslof the-ring 'toward each other under the action of. the elasticity of the springl material of which such -rings are usually and -preferably composed, although it willbe understood that the invention isnot limited to the provision of means for eHecting a relative' movement of the parts of the ring 'in' a single direction. The provlsion of means for' effecting such simultanepus'and equal movements ofthe parts of the ring away from eachother permits the ready construction and assembled of -a clutch 1n which the expanding ring engages its surrounding ila-nge throughoutsubstantially its whole circumference, y

Another object of the invention is to pro- I vide means for varying the diameter of the split ring of a clutch of the type herein illustrated which is readily adjustable to compensate for -wear of the frictional members orv to compensate for variations due to changes of temperature and tojprovide A means for effecting such adjustment insuch manner that they expanding means will. still operate to effect simultaneous and equal from each other.

parts ofthe' ringv away? Preferably the means for expanding the l ring of the clutch of the type-herein illus,- trated 1s`carried by the ring. itself and an important object of theinvention is the provision of means for actuating said expanding means. In the-preferred formv of the'.;in`ve'n4 tion the said means vfor actuating-the ex-4 panding means is arrangedto bemoved longitudinally 'of the axis of rotationof. the'- parts to be clutched whereby theclutch may.

be conveniently clutch.' Another important is the provision of means for effecting a movement away from each other of the parts 4modified into 'a one rotation 'object of' the invention of asplit ring of a clutch of the type herein Y' illustrated which isl so constructed andA arranged that separating thrusts will'be simultaneously imparted to the two parts and that the counter thrust caused by the action of either partf'in tending to move vunderit own elasticity against the thrust imparted by said means will be transmitteddirectly 'and preferably .solely tothe other-partof said ring,

maintained rigidly in its expanded congi- 4so' that thereby the expanded ring may be `threads on the ring in such manner that turning of the member effects a relative movement of the member and ring, and a movementof the parts of the ring toward or aivay'troin each other is thus brought about. Preferably, as liereinbefore suggested, the movement of the parts of the ring toward each other is brought about by the tendency of the ring to contract under it. own elasticity and therefore in the illuff trated preferred embodiment the member screw-threaded engagement with one part only of the expanding ring, the end of said.

member which is not threaded having pivotal engagement with the other part of said ring. The illustrated construction in which only one end of the member which serves to expand the ring is threaded has a further advantage in that it permits the provision ofconvenient means for effecting an adjustment of the expanding means to compensate for Wear or for changes due to variation in temperature. In the illustrated constructionv the adjusting means comprises an adjustable bearingvfor the end ofthe screwthreaded member which has pivotal 'engage-- ment with one part of the ring.v

As heireinbefore suggested the means for actuating the expanding means is preferably arranged to be moved longitudinally of the axis (if rotation of the clutch members and in its illustrated embodiment this means comprises a pin or plunger mounted to slide in the stationary clutch member and in operative engagement Withan arm upon the screw-threaded member which expands the split ring. The pin or plunger is preferably spring-pressedl in the direction to operate the expanding means, and is arranged to be held in inoperative position by any suitable clutch tripping means, a convenient construction of such tripping means comprising a Wedge-shaped member adapted to engage a projection upon the pin or plunger and cause the said pin or plunger to be moved against the tension of its spring by the longitudinal component of force produced by its rotation with the clutch member over the inclined surface of the Wedge. By locating' the Wedge member at a particular point in the rotation of the pin or plunger with the clutch member, the clutch member may always be stopped in t-he same angular position. I I I Preferably the clutch tripping means is associated with mechanism for Lmovmg 1t out 'of clutch tripping relation to the plunger ing the just-described operation of the clutch tripping means. In its illustrated embodiment the means for operating the ,clutch tripping means in such manner that the clutched parts will malte only a single rotation before being again unclutched coniprises tivo levers arranged to be locked together, one of said levers having formed upon it the' plunger operating'wedge. The

means for locking the levers together so that'Y they mayy be moved together comprises a latch arranged to be unlatched shortly after the clutch members begin to rotate together, when the eclutch tripping Wedge has been moved out of its clutch tripping relation to the aforementioned plunger. lVhen it is desired to operate the clutch the lever which carries the clutch releasing Wedgev may be lifted through its connect-ion with the other lever. means being preferablyy provided by Which the operator may conveniently raise this last-mentioned lever. As above suggested, the means, Which locks the levers together so that the Wedge carrying lever may lie-lifted by the one controlled by the operator, is so arranged that the levers are unloclred after the clutched parts start to rotai Preferably means is provided for` automf'ically locking the said levers together again after the means under the control of the operator has been released by. him.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration ot the construction and inode of operation'of the clutch illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,--

Figure l is an end view of the clutch7 the shaft to which theI normally stationary clutch member is attached and a portion of said member being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through` said clutch; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective of the mechanism through which the diameter of the split. ring is varied, and Fig. 4t is a detail section illustrating especially the construction of the means foexpanding the split ring.

Loosely mounted upon the shaftI 2 to which motion is to be imparted is a pulley l connected to any suitable source of power. Rigidly vattached to the shaft 2 is'the stationary clutch member G which carries a split ring or expanding ring S, a flange l0 upon the pulley t surrounding this ring. The clutch member G has formed upon it a flange l2 which provides a braking surface any suitablel or usual construction.- The' ring 8 is split,` as shown, at 4its upper part and is' normally contracted in diameter and circumference, so that it does not Acontact with the inner surfaceot the surrounding flange 10 upon the pulley 4. The ring is also preferably constructed of such material j that whenfexpandedso that it contacts with the inner surface of the flange 10 and again released it will quickly return under its own elasticity to its normal' non-contacting Vrela'- tion to said flange.

The means for expanding the ring 8, or spreading its' two parts, so that it will come into frictional engagementl lwith the inner4 surface of the flange 10 comprises prefer'- ablya screw-tlireaded member 16 threaded rigidly attached to the' member 16.

into a 'cylindrical-block 18 inserted in an opening bored transversely through the ring 8 and adapted to turn somewhat in said opening with the member 16 to prevent binding as the parts oty the 'ring are spread apart. The member 16 extends across the split inthe ring and pivotally engages a bearing in the other part of said ring, said bearing being formed in one end of a bear# ing block 20 threaded intol said part of the ring 8 and lying normally in axial alinement with the member 16.

The two parts of the ring8 are lcut away iii the region of the split to form ayrecess 22 into which extends a depending arm 24 convenience in assembling, the attachment of the arm 24 to th'e member 16 is effected by meansof a pin 26 passed through open'- iiigs in the arm and said member. The arm may be centered orapproximately centeredin the recess 22 b v turning the member 16 in its block 18 before the arm is pinned ov said member and by adjusting the beari g block 20. It will be iioted-that-,the scre threaded end of the member 16 has ai ke4 f for the reception of 'a screw driver for convenience in etl'ecting this adjustment, and

that a similar leert is provided in the outer,

end of the bearing block 20. Inasmuch as the turning or' the member 16 to effect an expansion or contraction of the ring 8 causes a variation in tle distance between one side of this member nd the side of the recess 22 the initial adjurtment need not necessarily be such that the arm 24 is exactly centered in said recess. Turning of the screw 16 to bring about an expansion or contraction of the ring 8 is ellccted through the arm 24,

For

vformed. with respect to the arm 24, the spring tending normally to press the projection 32 into engagement with the tace 33 ot the swaid portion of the clutch member 6. lVlien the parts are in the position shown in' Fig. 2, the ring 8 is expanded intofrictional engagement with the flange l0 and the parts are'clutched together 'so that rotating -movement is imparted to lthe sha'tt 2 through 4 thelpulle'y 4. lUnclutching of the parts is effected in the villustrated construction through `a wedge 34 formed uponone end of a lever 36 pivoted at 38 upon a stationary part of the machine with whichthe clutch is associated. The wedge 34 is arranged,- when in its lowermost position,- to enter betweenthe face 33 of the clutch member 6 and the projection 32 upon .the'plunger 28 and as the plunger 28 rotates with the clutch -member6 to cause it to be' moved by the component of force parallel to the axis of rotation against its spring 30, thereby turning the member `16' through the arm 24 and pei'- mitt-ing the springS to contract under its own elasticity. Engagement of the wedge 34 with the projection 32 to bring about a movement of the plunger 28 longitudinally of'the axis of vrotation is illustrated especially 'in Fig. 3 of' the drawings. The wedge 34 is preferably normally in the position shown in Fig. 3 in which position'the vparts of the 'clutch are' held out of clutch- .ing relation to each other. Vhen it is desired'lto bring about a clutching of the parts to effect a'rotation ot the shatt2 through the pulley 4, the wedge .3 4 is lifted out of operative relation to the projection 32, and in, the illustrated construction the means for lifting the wedge 34 comprises a lever 40, also pivotedat 38v on the frame of the machine with which the clut'cli is associated, said lever 40 being connected by a rod 42 to means under the control of the operator by which it may be lifted and being normally locked to the Awedge carrying lever'36 bya latch comprising a latch member 44 pivoted upon the lever 36 and carrying the 'catch plate 446 which pro-jects normally 'over a similar eatchplate 48 upon the lever 40. The latch member 44 is yieldingly pressed toward the catch plate 48 by a spring 50 connected at one end to said member above its pivot on the lever 36 and at its other end to a hook 52 upon the frame of the machine with which the clutch is associated. The. latch member 44 is extended upon the other side of its pivot from the catch plate 46 to form a tail 54 arranged to be engaged by a projection 56 upon the clutch member 6 when it begins to rotate after the parts have been clutched together, the illustrated projection being formed upon one wall ot the guide for the pin or plunger 28. The engagement of the projection 56 with the tailV 54 of the latch member 44 operates to move f lso y tion above the catch plate 48, thus leaving the wedge carrying lever ree to drop under the action of gravity and under the pull 'of the spring 50. Dropping ot the lever 3G brings the wedge Seinto position toengage the projection 82 upon the plunger'QS when the clutched parts have rotated so that the-projection 32 is brought into operative relation 'to the wedge 34. The plunger 28 will thus be moved against'the tension of its sprii'ig- 30 and the parts will be unclutched at the end of a single rotation.

It will be noted that the clutching of the parts will be effected very quickly since the actuation or the means for expanding the split ring 8 is etlected by thc release of the stored-up energy in the spring 30, as soon as the wedge is moved out o' its clutch releasing relation to the projection 32. It will be noted, also that both parts of the split ring 8 are moved as the screw 16 is turned by the arm i4, and that the movements of these parts away trom each other will be simultaneous and equal, Moreover it will be seen that the illustrated construction ot means for expanding the split ring has many advantages vover the ordinary constructions employed for this purpose, since the counter thrust caused by the application of torce to one pai-t of the ring is trans-- mitted directly to the other part and therefore the movement of the parts away from each other is positively insured. lt will be seen also that the provision ot means for expanding the split ring which is so constructed. that the parts oit the ring .move sin'iultaneously and equally away from each other permits such an initial adjustment of the two rict-ional surfaces that their relative movement into frictional contact effects-their engagement throughout substantially the greater port-ion oit their extent;

ln the event that the plunger not be pressed by its spring 3G suiiiciently far when released to cause an effective clutching of the two clutclrmembers. a cam plate 58 has been provided upon the' frame of the machine which serves to 'force the vplunger 28 to its inner limit ot movement provided it has been moved initiallyby the spring 30 far enough to cause such a. clutching of the two clutch members that they begin to rotate together. This prevents slipping of the clutch parts over each other after the mecht anism clutched to the constantly moving pulley 4 has begun to perform its work and therefore oii'ers resistance to the driving action of said pulley. Having described my'invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In apparatus oi the class combination with cooperating bers comprising a split ring,

28 should pendent'adj'ustment of said screw described, the i ot' means for narines expanding said ring to eect a clutching'of said members comprising a screw threaded into said ring andexteiiding between the two parts thereof, and means to turn said screw comprising a spring-pressed plunger movable parallel to -the axis of rotation of the clutch members and arranged to revolve about said axis, and means automatically moved into the path Iof said plunger to cngage and move it into inoperative position as it completes one revolution.

2. In apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination with 'cooperating clutch members, one of which comprises a split ring ai'- i-anged to be expanded into engagement with the other, ot' means'tor expandingr said ring comprising a screw threaded intosaid ring and arranged to operate simultaneously upon the two parts thereof and means to turn said screw comprising a spring-pressed plunger arranged to revolve. about the airis of rotation of the-clutch members, afprojection upon said plunger and a wedge automatically lbrought into engagement with said projection and constructed .to move said plunger into inoperative position as it comy pletes one revolution.

3. In apparatus vof the class described, the combination with cooperating clutch members comprising a split. ring, of means for expanding said ring to eilect a clutching of said members comprising a spring-pressed plunger .movable parallel to the axis of rotation lofthe clutch members and arranged to revolve aboutsaidaxis and clutch controlling means comprising two levers turn- .me about a common axis, means for connecting said'le'verstogether including a latch arrangedto be unlatched as the clutch mem-2 bers begin to Arotatev together and means car-A ried by one of said levers constructed and arranged to hold said plunger normally in inoperative position.

e. ln apparatus of combination with cooperating clutch niembersl including a ysplit rino'. of means for varying the diameter'oif said .ring to-eiiect thei'class described., the i" the clutching of said members comprising a screw threaded'into the ring upon one side oi said split and having' a conical bearing against -the ring upon the other side of said split, provision being made for indeconical bearing when in assembled relation to eachother.

5. ln apparatus of the class described, the

combination with cooperating clutchvmemvbers including' a splitvarying the diameter of said ringto effect the clutching of Saidmembers comprising a screw threaded into said ring upon one conical iis and said iing, of means for VHtl 6. In apparatns/ftheclass described', the

combination;:,tivith coperating clutch vmeml .bers including a split ring, of means for 'varying/the diameter of said ring toeifectV the'clutching of said members comprising a screw, a Cylindrical bloclimounted in'said ring upon one side of the split therein iin'to which said screw is: threaded, the axls of said 'block lying' transverse to the axis of extending across the split therein, an armby which said screw may be' turned to effect' a relative movement oie-the parts -of said ring, means for operating said arm comprisingaspringressed plunger operatively connected to said arm andal wedge'for en# gaging said phmger and holding said arm 3Q jinginoperative position. l L i .In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with coperating clutch .mem-

" .bers one of which comprises a split ring, ofl

-means for-varying the diameter of v'said ring to eii'ectthe clutching of said members com, prising a screw threaded into saidring and extending across the split therein, an arm by which said screw may be turned to ei'cct a relative movement of the parts of said 40 ring, means travelingabout the axis of rotation of the' clutch for operating s aid arm tending normally to turn said arm in the direction to'efect a clutching of. said clutch .members, and means for engaging and preventing the operation of said last-named means' at4 a particular point in its path of 'travel.".,

-9. In apparatus of theclass described', the .combination with coperating clutch mem- Ybers including a split ring, of means forv varying the diameterof said ring to effect the clutching osaid members comprising a screw threaded in to said ringvand extendf ing across the split, therein, means for. turning said screw tending normally to turn --said screw in the direction to etfect the clutching of said members-means for .holdsaid last-named means out of operation anfd means for insuring-a complete operati'on` of said screw', turning means when re- YWitnesses: I

the combination with coperating clutch members `comprising asplit ring, of means for expanding said ring to 'ei'ect a clutching of said'members comprising a screw threaded into said ring 'and extending across the .split therein, means .for turning said screw tending normally to turn saidfls'crew in the direction to eii'ect the clutching o said members, means for .holding said.`last-na.nied `means 'out of operation and tripping meansfor said holding neans including a latch arranged to be unlatchedas said clutch members begin-to rotate to ether.

11. In V apparatuso vthe class described` the combination with cooperating clutch members and meansforeecting'a' clutching thereof, of a wedge for holdings'aid clutch yoperating means out 'of operation,` and* means for lifting said wedge jout of lopera-tive relation to said'clutch operating means comprising two levcrs'having com# mon pivot and a latchby whichsaid levers. are connected 4 together for wedge lifting 85 movement arranged to be' unlatched as said yclutehparts begin to rotate whereby said wedge' is returnedfaultomatically into -operative relationto said clutch operating means, 12./.In-app'aratus of the class described-i the combination with co rat-ing@ elutel-i`v` members comprising'a splitV rmgl'of means lL onoperating the clutch'constituted'by said` members comprising 5 two .levers 'turningf .about'a' common axisfarpivotedlatch mem- .bercarried by one of "said lveisalldfar- A ranged to engage a part oftheotherof said levers 'to lock 'said levers together, a latch tripping cam ,carried by -th'e clutch .and a tail uponsaid 'latch member arranged. to engage said cam whereby said levers are -disconnectedwhen the clutch members begin torotate together. I In testimony whereof' I have signed my name to'v this specification in the presence oi two subscribing witnesses.'

ARTHUR WMTES.

` GRACE HOLMES,

ERNEST 

